Poker News

Peter ‘The Poet’ Costa

Over the last couple of years, I have played a fair bit of online poker. Although I mainly focused on the PLO cash games - some tournaments offered great value. However, with fields of over 1500 players - they required many hours of commitment. Worse still, as the events approached the late stages - they tendedto slow down to crawl. If hand-for-hand was not bad enough, many players would run down the clock at every opportunity. Obviously. every player wants to make the money - however, these tactics really pushed the players patiance to the limit.

But such situations are standard in poker. As players, we tend to accept these without looking at alternatives. After all, this is how tournament poker have always been played! Well, perhaps it’s time for a change. Enter Shooutout3. Although the shootout format is not new - I have always felt that it has been greatly under used. In fact, having spoken to many players - I have been pleasently surprised how popular the format is. Apart from being a change to regular tournaments, it also provided an opportunity of a good return - without having to play long hours. But I guess with just one player advancing - the odds have always been stacked against the player from progressing. So how about 3 players advancing?

I approached Party Poker with this exact suggestion. Luckily, they agreed that it had potential. After a year in development - Party recently launched the format. The reaction from players was exactly what was hoped for. It seems that players have taken to the format in a big way! And apart from eradicting slow play - it actaully speeds up tournies. Furthermore, it does so without reducing the skill factor. In fact, as it requires many stages of short-handed play - the skill level is increased.

The luck factor in poker can never be eradicated. All you can do is to try and minimized it by playing well, and getting your money into the pot with the best hand. However, when tables break in the late stages of standard tournaments - luck can play a major role. How many times have you posted your blinds, moved table - and found yourself having to post the blinds again? For a small stack - the result could be devastating. Although many online sites try their best to avoid such situations - its not always possible to do so. This shootout format totally eradicates that scenario.

Shootout3 was created primarily for online. However, as we see the numbers of entries in B/ M events increase to record levels - perhaps this format may have a place on the regular tour. While on the subject of new formats - I have been a busy little bee recently with a few more creations. With constantly reading in the press how online Companies are looking for the next big game - I decided to try and provide it. At the moment - I have put together around a dozen new games for online gaming. And although none of them could ever rival poker in terms of populaity - I do believe a few of themwill make their mark in a big way! Watch this space for future updates.

Until next time - play well, get lucky and get creative!

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